How long I've had braces!

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Year & a Half in Braces!!! Adjustment update!

So sorry I haven't updated since June.  Thank you to everyone who has read my blog and who has kept interest on my progress.  September 18th marked my year & a half in braces.  Cant believe how fast the time has flown by.  Since my last update I didnt feel much was going on since I was wearing bands to try to fix my over bite. 1st I should actually update you on what has happened since I last updated...

At my prior adjustments my Ortho decided to put a button on the back of my small molar to turn it in the right direction.  Doing this they had to wedge the powerchain in between my two teeth and it dug into my gum.  She also had me start wearing a heavier elastic bands, which I will provide a photo below.  At first she had me wear them 24 hours a day, but then my last appointment before today's, she had me only wear them at night.

So now for today's adjustment update.  My Ortho put a thicker wire on my bottom teeth to straighten them out more.  She said that my tooth has now turned into position and I could now go without that powerchain going in between my teeth.  She said my overbite is looking good, but she wants me to go back to wearing the elastic bands 24 hours a day.  She kept me with the same elastics, but I found out they had neon colors so I chose to get those this time.  The bag has a variety of neon colors in it to choose from, which I like. ;)  The assistant put the wires on and elastics and powerchain on the top.  I chose light pink because that's the one color I like on me.  Unfortunately last time they didn't have it, so I chose gray, which wasn't one of my favorites.  My Ortho said that my next appointment they will check my progress and see if I am ready to start the process of getting my braces removed.  Funny...you would think I would be excited about that, but I'm actually kinda attached to these braces that have build up my confidence up in the last year and a half.  I'm actually not ready to get them removed, its kinda bittersweet ...I know I sound insane lol

I did find out that my job is changing insurance companies in January.  This insurance will not cover your braces if you already started them.  I was really worried.  After my appointment I asked the billing clerk and luckily with my insurance now they did a discount program which was already included into the cost of my braces, so come January there wont be any changes and my new insurance wont affect it.  Thankfully!!

Below I tried to put photos showing the progress every 6 mths since my last update I put every month.  Looking at these photos again really makes me realize how much my teeth have really changed so much!!  This by far has been one of the best decisions I could have ever made for myself.  It is amazing how much I smile now and how much confidence I have gained just by getting braces.  I'm so glad my age didn't stop me...although I wish I would have had it done years ago.  We cant go back in time, so it was better late than never that is for sure!!  Thank you all again for taking the time to read my blog!!  I really hope I have helped others in this journey! 

Heavier Elastic Bands